ACCOMM: Meet the Design Team Behind The Bower
NOSTALGIA. THAT SENTIMENTAL WISTFUL AFFECTION WE HAVE FOR DAYS GONE BY.
But our expectations change, and the clever visionaries behind the transformation of an original Byron Bay beach motel into The Bower, honour that old-time nostalgia while overlaying their signature aesthetic of sophisticated, understated luxury onto every nook and cranny. The Bower is now a destination. A relaxed, palm-filled compound with accommodation options for all experiences in The Bower Suites, The Bower Cottage, The Bower Barn and The Bower House.
Co-owners Taliah and Sein Lowry found inspiration for The Bower on a visit to NYC and The Bowery district with its squat, square buildings and perfect awnings framing the windows, shielding rooms from the outside world. It was the perfect inspiration to reimagine the whole concept of yesteryear's beach motel by combining the barefoot ambience of Byron Bay with the effortless elegance of New York boutique accommodation. And the jewel in the crown? Our sensual, perfectly round swimming pool embedded in its tropical backdrop, with bespoke covered day beds, Bower brollies scattered throughout and lots of grassy corners to soak up the Byron sunshine.
It took a creative village to realise the vision for The Bower, and Taliah has pulled together some of the best in the business, from architects, interior designers, stylists and landscapers, to of course the men with the tool belts, led by master craftsman Greg Lyon and his team of builders. We'd like to introduce you to them now.
INTERIOR DECORATING/STYLING:
LYNDA GARDENER
"Rooms are balanced through a mix of textures and tones – wood, metals, textiles, plush velvets and linens. It is really a mix of traditional styling with some fun elements."
INTERIOR DECORATING/STYLING:
BELLE HEMMING BRIGHT
“We kept the lines simple and modern. The Bower interiors are a clever mix of old and new with a touch of classic New York woven through the layers.”
INTERIOR DESIGN:
KATE SACKS
“My design approach is always to create spaces with character that are unique, timeless and transcend trends.
I translated my brief for The Bower as celebrating the concept of the old school motel room and taking it up a level to create a bespoke suite experience unique to Byron Bay. The enthusiasm and dedication of the owners, staff, the entire construction, design and styling teams have infused the Bower with a unique accommodation experience that harnesses the soulful, positive and creative energy of Byron Bay."
ARCHITECT:
JOHN BURGESS
“The goal here was to take a fairly bland, typical motel environment and elevate it to something with spirit and identity.
I really enjoyed how the clients had a very strong vision of where they wanted to end up and some key elements they wanted incorporated but allowed us to be free to work out how to get there… what is really exciting is that all the designers had their own particular angle on what was appropriate, we did not cross one another’s paths, we each were free to explore our realms and I believe this is a key to the strength of the result, it all came from different directions but The Bower is dynamic and complete…its got personality!"
BUILDER:
GREG LYON
“I think The Bower expresses that Byron Bay feeling - light and airy - but with the addition of being sophisticated.
The main thing is our working relationship with Taliah and Sein. Taliah has great ideas and we work to make them a reality. Most builders do 2 or 3 jobs at a time and they lose that daily face-to-face contact. Things flow and evolve as you build. We take on only one project at a time so I can be on site and keep a handle on everything."
LANDSCAPE:
DANIEL KEMP
“I feel a garden needs to be grounded and have elements of age.
Landscaping in Byron is quite distinctive; it’s governed by what thrives in the region and also individualises the area, with its subtropical climate, rich soils and high rainfall. Taliah’s brief was clear: luxuriant greens with interesting foliage and mature specimens to give the properties a sense of establishment and privacy. The guests need to feel like they’re in their own homes and be able to move about and enjoy their space without being on display."
PHOTOGRAPHY:
JESSE PRINCE
“I am interested in shapes and composition and their relationship within the frame.
I love the storytelling, the process of bringing somebody’s idea into tangible form. Taliah leaves it up to me; over time we have developed trust and understanding of each other. It’s so cool."
BRANDING:
CLAUDINE CLARIDGE
“The passion of our owners is infectious - that has made this project a real and successful team effort.
Collaboration is key to the vision of this company. BBA is a small team of dynamic people and we want to make sure we stand out in this competitive environment. We are doing that by building a culture that connects to our guests and allows the team to shine together."
CONCEPT & DESIGN:
TALIAH LOWRY
“Through these last years of back to back projects I have begun to trust my instincts. I try to nurture and develop the early design bubbles in my head and do my best to steer away from trends and strive to achieve classic, timeless, fluid design.”
